Portrait Photography Tips and Techniques You Need To Know

Photography can be possible by using various techniques like enhancing lighting, using specialised lenses or filters. This technique can be used for movies or digital photographs. But before that one must have to understand the difference between DSLR Vs point & shoot camera. Photographers are required to capture memories, events, objects or art and commercial use. This can be done by top 10 photography techniques that were discussed earlier. One can also make use of computer software to modify the images, cropping them or analysing the size and colour. Some beginner’s tips are provided in the previous article that can help you to understand the use of portrait photography in a better way. Photography is categorised below:

• Portrait photography
• Wedding photography
• Artistic photography
• Scientific photography
• Industrial photography

Portrait Photographer: Portrait photography is defined as the technique of displaying pictures for facial expression. This is a task, to make facial features and facial expressions by focusing on a person’s face.

Learn different techniques used for portrait photography:

The different techniques are used to make the photographs more natural and attractive some are explained below.

Use framing technique in a creative way:

The creativity and accuracy in work are the first preference needed in portrait photographer. You can add the creative frames such as window or door frame to make the photo more natural. Through this, the portrait composition will be viewed much stronger and more interesting. If you are taking pictures of babies then use this technique of portrait photography. You can provide the natural effects by adding the duplicate copy of child in one frame.

Lens choice:  

The choice of the lens provides a big impact on portrait photos. For visual impact wide-angle lens is needed. The low angle lens will make your subject taller than from its actual size. This lens choice will totally change the perspective of objects or people. Some steps are needed to make it more prescribe such as do not go too close, it will create distortion.

One can use the medium of telephoto such as 85mm or 105mm, through this the model will still remain the same as a subject in the scene. The background also plays an important role so telephoto lens such as 70-200mm f/2.8 is one of the best tools for creating stunning portraits. This can help to zoom and make more closely focus more on a subject.

Find back-light:

For shooting some tremendous portraits. Lighting plays an important role in photographic images. You can make use of sunlight, window, or normal light bulb. To create attractive photos these light sources can help a photographer to provide edge light. The rim light can improve the dimension of a photo by separating it from an earlier subject. It provides the outlining and focuses on the image.

Add horizons to the wind for fun portraits:

To shoot the Landscape photographs, the level of the perfect horizon should be provided by the photographer. This can provide a good composition and a fun unique portrait.

Provide contrast clothing and location:

To shoot the images in different locations the proper background is needed that can provide contrast clothing effect. After picture shoot, one can easily change the resolution of images by modifying it with computer software. The contrast of image depends upon brightness, colour schemes and background lights etc.

Try out an electronic model for simplicity:

There are various electronic types of equipment that can provide simplicity and creativity in the image.

Other requirements you may need if you are a professional photographer/Vlogger.

Increase your ISO:

People constantly change the facial expression which can further affect the photograph. To avoid the facial expression problems, like blur appearing one should use the fast shutter speed. It ensures sharp shots at the time of clicking photo.

Use a video light for night portraits:

Video lights play an important role at night. It lights up the subject in dark situations. The amazing thing about video light is it provides the constant light source. Portrait photographers use LED video lights, which provide a better quality image. The benefit of this light you can also work in dark situations.

Use a Reflector:

A reflector is the special equipment technique for a portrait photographer. It provides essential exposures and is an interactive device. You can use natural reflectors, such as sand, snow or water that can provide a strong effect in pictures. The portrait photographer has to understand the fact i.e. “the shinier is the surface, the harder will be the light”. The reflector can increase the quality of an image.

Use gel on your Speedlites:

Adding CTO (orange) or CTB (blue) gel to your Speedlites will change the atmosphere of an image. While shooting adding a CTB gel will make the whole environment attractive. For this photographer has to set the white balance correctly. CTO gels are also be used to emulate sunlight.

Go Creative with Your Flash:

One should have to use the off-camera flash for shooting creative effects. This can help for background and be isolating the subject. For this technique of flashguns can be helpful for direct light. One should select the angle of 45 degrees for the most natural result. This provides a slight shadow on the opposite side of the face.

Some popular styles of portrait photographs are:

• Traditional portrait
• Environmental portrait
• Candid portrait
• Glamour portrait
• Lifestyle portrait
• Conceptual portrait
• Abstract portrait

Conclusion: The various techniques of above article can be used while portrait photography. One should have to be creative and master in this field. To provide more accuracy and good quality practice and experience in this field is essential. The above style of portraits is the most popular one which can be made by using a different and advanced technique of photography.